Batherson named CCM/AHL Player of the Week

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Belleville Senators forward Drake Batherson has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending November 11, 2018.

Batherson recorded seven points in two games for Belleville last week, including the first six-point performance by an AHL skater in nearly three years.

With the Senators hosting the defending Calder Cup champions for a two-game set at CAA Arena, Batherson began the week by recording a goal and five assists in a 7-6 win on Friday night. His five assists included setting up the winning goal with 1:38 left in regulation, while his six total points were the most by an AHL player since Feb. 5, 2016 (Trevor Murphy).

On Saturday, Batherson scored another goal in Belleville’s 8-2 loss to Toronto, giving him points on seven of the Senators’ nine goals over the weekend.

A fourth-round pick by the Ottawa Senators in the 2017 NHL Draft, Batherson is now one point off the AHL’s overall scoring lead with 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 14 games for Belleville, while leading all AHL rookies in goals (tied), assists and points. The 20-year-old Batherson won a gold medal with Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship and totaled 137 points in 122 games in the QMJHL playing for Cape Breton and Blainville-Boisbriand.

In recognition of being named the CCM/AHL Player of the Week, Batherson will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Senators home game.